» Plans

The Mayor of Crown Point must always have the needs of the citizens and the future of the city as his guiding principles. I believe that government must be about working with others through Leadership and Vision to accomplish goals and not just politics as usual.

I have a vision for the future of Crown Point, in which the city continues to grow, but more importantly people are proud to call Crown Point, Indiana; Home. I believe a strong community is built from within, if you have a strong community then others will want to join in the prosperity. To ensure this vision and to protect the heritage of our beautiful city, I already have several initiatives and specific plans, listed below, that I will work with the Citizens, Business Owners, and City Government to implement or ensure they are enacted:

Create a Storm Water Advisory Board.
Plan for economic relief for senior citizens.
Plan to maintain and enhance existing businesses.
Plan for commercial growth in the proper districts.
Plan to reduce tax burden on homeowners.
Plan to re-build a relationship with our School Corporation.
Plan to maintain parks, streets, and sidewalks.
Plan to improve Public Safety.
Plan to enhance Public Safety Worker's Compensation Package.
Financial responsibility and accountability in government.

Create a Storm Water Advisory Board

I will create a Storm Water Advisory Board. The purpose of this board is to assist the city with the task of maintaining our ditches and waterways. These avenues are a vital part of our infrastructure and are in crisis. The conditions of these ditches are such that water cannot flow properly and causes flooding throughout the city.

The Storm Water Advisory Board will be established to review storm water management policies that will help in the control of sediment and erosion. They will monitor our ditches concerning the removal of fallen trees and large debris. A public meeting will be held once a month by this board for the purpose of hearing appeals and suggestion by our residents. This board will not have any bonding authority. Any and all recommendations made by this board will be forwarded to the Board of Public Works and the City Council for review.

The Storm Water Advisory Board will be made up of ten (10) members: Seven (7) citizens of Crown Point and three (3) members of our city staff. I recommend that each city council member select one (1) representative from his or her respective district. The three (3) remaining members will be our City Engineer, City Planner, and Public Works Director. Back to Top

Plan for economic relief for senior citizens
I believe that a strong community is built from within. One component of building a strong community is caring for our senior citizens. With the increases in the cost of living, and the fact that most senior citizens live on a fixed income, eventually they might not be able to afford to live in this city, where many have been their whole lives. I, as Mayor, must do what I can to protect and enhance the way of life of our senior citizens. Therefore, any homeowner 62 years of age or older, will receive a discount on their water and sewage bill for their primary residence. This savings can be used for other necessities such as: food, medication, and insurance. This program will be funded by reducing wasteful spending within city government.

I will assign a member of my administration the task of serving as the Senior Citizen Activity Director. This position will be responsible for enhancing our senior citizen's quality of life through involving our citizens in activities and advocating their needs to our government. This initiative will show our commitment to spending senior citizen tax dollars on senior citizens.

• A reduced rate for Water and Sewer usage on primary residence.
• Assign a Senior Citizen Activity Director.
• Notifications for eligible homeowners of increased property tax exemptions.

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Plan to maintain and enhance existing businesses (Downtown Square)
In order for us to enhance our existing businesses around the area of the "Square," the long time problem of parking for consumer needs to be addressed. The construction of a parking garage, with features consistent with the beauty and heritage of the "Square," will increase much needed pedestrian traffic to those businesses. In order to help the downtown business district, which has historically struggled, I have a vision where the city government will actively promote and market this historic district. The focus of the promotional and marketing campaign will center around the history that makes our community unique.

I will work with the Lake County Sheriff's Foundation, Steward's of the Square, Lake County Court House Foundation, and the Chamber of Commerce to provide more tourist destinations. With the completion of the "Old Sheriff's House" as a museum and the rededication of marketing the "Court House" location for events, such as marriages and other family activities, we can attract new sources of income for our businesses.

• Construction of a parking garage to allow more parking for consumers on the square.
• Market and promote our "Historic Square" that makes our community unique.
• Work with our foundations to rededicate our downtown businesses as a tourist destination.

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Plan for commercial growth in the proper districts
Commercial growth in this city is a vital component to maintain property tax levels and to ensure that the city can provide the services it is required. Because of numerous factors, commercial growth has been much slower compared to residential growth. For example, the U.S. 231 I-65 corridor has been underdeveloped for many years. This is valuable commercial property that has yet to reach its potential. This particular piece of real estate, because of its proximity to major highways, is a unique opportunity to bring such venues as: corporate style headquarters, convention centers, and other retail centers. These venues will enhance this community by bringing job opportunities and revenue into the city.

First, I believe that the city must have the vision to develop a consistent plan for commercial growth. In order to be truly beneficial to all of the citizens of Crown Point, commercial growth must be compatible with residential plans and existing businesses.

Second, the city must update city plans and ordinances to be better prepared for commercial growth and reduce legal liabilities.

Third, the city must be proactive in recruiting businesses to this community by participating in a national marketing campaign to attract those businesses that will enhance our community.

• Update ordinances to establish a stronger and more consistent vision for our community.
• Invest in a national marketing campaign to secure a corporate style headquarters, convention/hospitality center, and top of the line retail centers for I-65 / 231.
• Increase job opportunities.

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Plan to reduce tax burden on homeowners
When residential and commercial developments are built, the developer builds the buildings and the roads in that development. When all of the buildings and roads are completed, the city becomes financially responsible for maintaining those roads and providing services, i.e., Police, Fire, etc. However, the city typically does not receive any tax money for these new developments for 18 months after completion and assessed valuation.

To manage this yearly shortfall, the burden gets placed on the property tax of existing homeowners. Lake County is currently in the midst of a tax crisis that could adversely affect the citizens of Crown Point. Because of the current crisis, the property tax levels are uncertain. This means that the citizens of Crown Point could see a large increase in their property tax, as well as, a county income tax.

Therefore, I will formulate a plan that seeks alternative ways to consistently fund these services and reduce the burden on the existing homeowner. One part of this plan will be accomplished by creating new legislation that will allow the city to recapture its investment. The remaining parts of this plan will be accomplished through communication with the residents, business owners, and city government.

• Develop new legislation to recapture our investment for additional public services.
• Establish a balance between Commercial and Residential growth.
• Keep Crown Point tax dollars in Crown Point while providing more choices.

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Plan to build a rewarding relationship with our School Corporation.
The importance of a quality working relationship with the School Corporation is a must. While the city and the school corporation both receive their own share of the tax moneys, it is imperative that both entities work together to reduce spending and maximize efficiency. My plan is to re-establish trust and discussions with the school corporation to help reach these goals.

The city and schools both have great property needs and I see plenty of room to work together and find ways to collaborate and share our resources. Forging this relationship will undoubtedly reduce burdens on taxpayers and even their children! I would love to see the "1-mile walk" requirement reduced or eliminated with more efficient busing. As Mayor, I would strive to work with the school corporation to make this possible. Back to Top

Plan to maintain parks, streets, and sidewalks
The maintenance of our streets and sidewalks is another vital component in protecting the quality of life for the citizens of Crown Point. The cost of maintaining of streets and sidewalks sometimes means that projects are put aside until funding is procured. Therefore, the city will eliminate unnecessary or redundant positions within the city government and the money saved from those salaries will go directly into the creation and maintenance of streets and sidewalks.

The city will also require all new developments (residential or commercial) to install sidewalks. This will allow for other means of accessibility in the future and saves the city money by eliminating the need to build those sidewalks at a later date.

Competitive sports bring out the best in everyone and also bring visitors to our city. Utilizing State and Federal grants we can create and improve upon current sporting venues for all ages to enjoy. These events also help to showcase the fine community and businesses we're so proud of.

• Eliminate unnecessary positions within city government to fund street and sidewalk repair programs.
• The city will require all new developments (residential and commercial) to install sidewalks.
• Create alternative transportation options (bike paths / pedestrian crossing safety devices).
• Establish a street and repair rotation program to establish fair distribution of public funds.
• Utilize our current parks to create more competition venues for our youth, adult, and senior programs with the use of Federal and State grants.

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Plan to improve Public Safety
The people that provide public safety in Crown Point (Police and Fire) are the finest around. I served for 13 years as a Crown Point Police Officer and learned a great deal in that time. The most important thing that I learned is that leadership starts at the top. I also believe that the safety of our citizens is our biggest responsibility as a government. The nature of the work demands that the leaders of these departments be able to respond to city emergencies rapidly. I am requiring these department heads to reside inside the city limits of Crown Point. Therefore, I have named Pete Land as the Chief of Police and Greg DeLor as the Fire Chief. These selections are based on the fact that both of these individuals are proven leaders and share in my vision for this city.

The most crucial part of this vision is to bring both departments up to satisfactory staffing levels. Currently both departments are below industry standards in the ratio of personnel to citizens. Both Pete Land and Greg DeLor have previous experience as chiefs of their respective departments and both have shown the ability too creative and proactive in filling those much needed positions. Once these positions are filled, this will allow these departments to be proactive instead of reactive to the needs of our growing community.

• Appoint proven leaders Pete Land as Police Chief and Greg DeLor as Fire Chief.
• Increase and maintain public safety staffing to be in compliance with industry standards.
• Use of Federal and State grants to hire personnel and purchase necessary equipment.

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Plan to enhance Public Safety Worker's Compensation Package
Currently the city has a disability plan for the Police and Fire Departments that calls for the city to withhold a substantial percentage of our brave men and women's salaries if they are injured in the line of duty. How, as a city, can we ask these brave men and women to put their lives on the line, if we are not going honor our commitment if they get hurt? Therefore, any public safety worker injured in the line of duty will receive 100% of their salary and benefits until they return to work. Back to Top

Financial responsibility and accountability in government
The budget for the city of Crown Point is not an unlimited commodity. I believe that we must be diligent in our spending, as the money does not belong to Crown Point, it belongs to the taxpayer. The process of spending of taxpayer money should be transparent, meaning that the public should be made aware of what is being spent, why is it being spent, and what is the result of what was spent.

Therefore, the city will hold public hearings on any money appropriated for studies and outside consultants. These hearings will allow the public to be involved throughout the process and see a project from beginning to its conclusion. This communication will build trust and credibility between government and the citizens it serves.

At times the city will have to seek out services that cannot be completed by city personnel. The city has the responsibility to ensure that these services from outside vendors are completed by firms and organizations that can provide quality of workmanship at a reasonable cost. It is the responsibility of city government to ensure that residents are receiving the maximum for their tax dollar.

• Spending taxpayers’ money with a transparent approach (Communication).
• Stronger governmental communication to rebuild public trust and credibility.
• Establish a “Responsible Bidding” ordinance to protect tax payer money by ensuring outside vendors bidding on city contracts meet minimal standards.

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